Leh, Ladkah

Leh, Ladkah – by Sharon Page

Leh is situated between the Tibetain Platetu and the Indus Valley in the province of Ladkah in the region called Jammu and Kashmir. Rising from the valley floor to 11,000ft, the city of Leh is breathtaking has well as stark in constrast almost looking like a moon landscape, until you look out to the high Karakoram range of the Himalayas heading towards China. Leh is called little Tibet and as you head into Leh from the airport you understand why with Buddist temples situated on the side of mountains and the old Leh palace protruding above the city of Leh with Tibetain flags fluttering in the wind and welcoming into the city of Leh.

   

Leh is in a sensitive area of Northarn India and one that is still disputed between India, China and Pakistan today. So for a westerner flying into Leh, it is a bit unnverving to see gun turrets looking at you as you get off the plane. The Indian army as a good pressence in Ladakh and controls the area with an iron hand and for good reason. In 1965 China took a good part of Ladkah by force and took the Indian goverment by surprise with the invasion. So for well over two decades the area of Ladkah was closed off from the outside world until 1971 when India opened up the area to tourists. Since 1971 tourusts have flowed into the area and Leh the captial of Ladkah has doubled in size. Even though there are changes happening to this area of the world with a new hydro dam, Ladkah is still a place of living history where Buddists, Kashmiri and Hindu live together in mostly a peaceful harmany.

 

Leh became the capital of Ladkah in the 17th century when Sengge Namgyal moved his court from the Palace of Shey so that Namgyal could be closer to the silk road trade route. Since then Leh proposed until the closure of the Chinese border in the 1950′s. By closing the border’s to Jammu and Kashmir India unwittling created an area of amazing Buddist culture, rivers that sparkle the color of Jade, mountains that are still wild and the Ladkah people that value harmony with nature.

 

Leh is a great place to have your base camp to visit other areas of Jammu and Kashmir. There are plenty of things to do and visit in and around Leh and a good place to get used to the altitude of 11,000ft for a few days. The old Buddist stores are a great place to find traditional Tibetian clothing and rugs. There are daily open markets and I mean open so beware of the area I called Goat Alley and stay away during the midday heat. Otherwise you will find an array of spices and fresh Aproacots, Mango and Papaya.

 

Leh has many stupas(Buddist Relics and one of the oldest forms of Buddist Architecture) and Gompas(place of mediatian and learning). A great Gompa to see just outside of Leh is the Thikse Gompa of the Gelukpa Order of Buddhism which is a living symbol of Tibetian Buddism and even though there are crumbling buildings the main building has be revived and is a great place to come and see and hear Tibetian prayers.

 

Leah, Ladkah is a place that you will never forget and a place that you will find great joy in the simplest of things.